Question

Is AB a tangent? Why or Why not? (Hint: use Pythagorean Theorem)

Answer 1

AB is not a tangent. The lengths 4, 12, and 13 do not form a right triangle.

√(4^2 + 12^2) = √160, which is not equal to 13.

Answer 2

No

Explanation:

if AB is a tangent the the angle BAC = 90°

using Pythagoras' theorem

then square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other 2 sides, that is

BC² = 13² = 169

AB² + AC² = 12² + 4² = 144 + 16 = 160

since BC²≠ AB² + AC²

then Δ ABC is not a right triangle so AB is not a tangent